Student Journal - Sydney Student Chapter - Mining Engineering Students Vacation Work
As a first-year Mining Engineering student at UNSW and an active member of the AUSIMM NSW-UNSW Student Chapter, my vacation experience at Redpath charged up my interest in the mining industry. Just two weeks into university, I attended my first Student Meets Industry event, where I was introduced to Redpath and gained insight into the role of mining contractors. This initial exposure ignited my interest in the industry and set the groundwork for my journey into underground mining.
A few months later, I found myself on-site at Olympic Dam, South Australia as a vacation student with Redpath. This opportunity provided me with firsthand experience in underground mining operations, specifically in ground support activities such as cable bolting and shotcrete, as well as an in-depth understanding of batch-plant operations. My time at Olympic Dam was an invaluable opportunity, offering me hands-on exposure to key aspects of underground mine development and production, seeing sub-level stoping first hand.
During my time on-site, I was given the opportunity to work as a nipper, where I was trained to drive light vehicles and assist in setting up sites for the rigs. For the first part of my swing, I was introduced to the cable bolt crew, working alongside experienced operators on Sandvik DS422i and DS421 rigs. Our crew ensured that sites were properly prepared, with an adequate supply of cables for replacements and cement for grouting. One of the prominent memories was tramming around the Normet Service Truck to perform a cable change and going up to the quarry and getting the rig serviced straight after.
In subsequent swings, I expanded my experience by working with agitator drivers and taking on the role of a shotcrete nipper. This provided me with a well-rounded perspective on the ground support operations occurring at Olympic Dam.Beyond the hands-on experience, I had the privilege of working with the Project Engineer for a day. I assisted in reviewing plods and ensuring data accuracy in areas such as the metres of cables installed and the cubes of shotcrete applied. It was particularly fascinating to examine spray thickness data recorded by Normet sprayer sensors, which was then submitted to BHP alongside a daily report to verify that the ground conditions met safety standards.
Moreover, my time at Olympic Dam was not just about developing technical skills; it was also an opportunity to deeply embed the stringent safety protocols upheld by both BHP and Redpath. I quickly learned the significance of adhering to best practices and fostering a culture of accountability and risk management, allowing me to be a valuable commodity in any team.
Overall, this experience has been instrumental in shaping my aspirations within the mining industry. The practical exposure has reinforced my passion for mining engineering and motivated me to contribute meaningfully to the industry.
